Essays on Chronic Pain

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP; 1994) defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage”. It can be further divided into two subcategories which are acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain is a...

Prior to the 2000, pain was viewed as an instantaneous and passing response to an injury or sickness. Once the injury recovered or the sickness was cured, (or the body simply got accustomed it, whichever came first), the pain — so the thinking went —...

One of the things I love about my job is that I don’t have to work outside in the heat or freezing cold. When I’m not busy, I can surf the internet or catch up on emails. Working inside at a desk job absolutely has...

The introduction of Acupuncture as a popular treatment for chronic pain really began during the Nixon presidency when China and the United States re-invigorated their trade relations. Since that time there has been a growing application of this ancient healing art to Western mainstream medicine....

In the article, Complex regional pain syndrome-up-to-date, Frank Birklein and Violeta Dimova examines the topic of the chronic pain condition complex regional pain syndrome. Birklein and Dimova thoroughly explains the history, classification/diagnosis, symptoms, pathophysiology and treatment plans for complex regional pain syndrome. Let’s start with...

According to National Cancer Institute, Chronic illness is, “A disease or condition that usually lasts for 3 months or longer and may get worse over time. Chronic diseases tend to occur in older adults and can usually be controlled but not cured. The most common...

Long-lasting/chronic pain is a common issue in across the globe, and people living with this pain are more likely to experience mental distress, worry, and depression as well as ailments such as fear and stress and anxiety more so than those in the general community....

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an irremediable disease which causes swelling. It’s of unknown origin that normally affects the back and lower spine. Because AS is systemic and progressive, it can impact many distinct areas of the human body, including organs and joints. Following are eleven...

Osteoarthritis (OA), which is a progressive degenerative chronic disease, can cause joint stiffness, swelling, pain and loss of mobility, characterized by cartilage and synovial inflammation. A high prevalence of OA is seen mainly in elderly population (85% of above 65 years of age worldwide). Although...